Deeney names Van Dijk in Premier League group of the week after Forest show

Virgil van Dijk has been named in Troy Deeney’s Premier League group of the week after Liverpool’s dramatic 1-0 win away at Nottingham Forest, and it’s a well timed enhance as we return to Anfield to face West Ham United on Saturday.

The Netherlands worldwide performed the total 90 minutes on the Metropolis Floor and ended up being central to us surviving a busy first half earlier than Alexis Mac Allister’s late winner sealed the factors.

Deeney’s choice was printed by BBC Sport, with the previous Premier League striker providing each reward and a wider verdict on the place Van Dijk sits among the many division’s nice centre-backs.

“Folks have been questioning whether or not he or John Terry is the higher Premier League centre-back. For me, Van Dijk is only a Rolls-Royce and the 2 of them go in the identical class.”

Deeney additionally linked Van Dijk’s organisation to our wider defensive construction this season.

“He delivers on a regular basis and has began to make Milos Kerkez look higher together with his organisation. It was a tricky sport towards Forest however he stood up and delivered.”

Van Dijk’s Forest numbers present why Deeney picked him

Van Dijk’s show was not about headline moments as a lot as management, positioning and problem-solving, particularly with Forest asking fixed questions within the first half.

Here’s a snapshot of the important thing knowledge from Sofascore:

Metric
Van Dijk complete

Sofascore score
7.2

Clearances
5

Interceptions
1

Blocked photographs
1

Recoveries
2

Aerial duels (received)
7 (3)

Correct passes
68/74 (92%)

Lengthy balls (correct)
7/9 (78%)

Touches
82

Photographs on course
1

xG
0.13

These passing numbers matter as a result of our No.4 isn’t just defending his personal field, he’s additionally steering us into the fitting areas of the pitch when video games get frantic, and that was precisely the kind of afternoon it turned at Forest.

What it means for Liverpool forward of West Ham at Anfield

The larger context is that the league desk continues to be brutally tight within the top-four race, with us sixth on 45 factors after 27 video games and degree with Chelsea, making momentum priceless.

With our captain being confirmed as the best ball winner within the league and Arne Slot stating how important the 34-year-old is for our success, it’s no shock to see him credited with one other nice efficiency.